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Ellison Returns!

The Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki team will be back to full strength this weekend at Cadwell Park as injured James Ellison returns to partner Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker. With two rounds remaining to qualify for the Showdown, and with the pair currently sitting in sixth and seventh position in the Championship standings, the team will now be focusing on securing both riders in the all-important top six.

After breaking his femur in the second race at Brands Hatch James Ellison was forced to miss the following rounds at Thruxton and Oulton Park, dropping him from third in the Championship to seventh. However following extensive Hyperbaric chamber and physiotherapy sessions, James has now been passed fit to ride by the MCE British Superbike Championship and will re-join teammate Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker this weekend.

Despite being the sole rider for the previous two rounds, Chris has continued to impress on the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki ZX-10R and currently sits in sixth place in the Championship standings. With just Cadwell Park and Donington remaining to qualify for the Showdown, both he and James will be heading to the 2.18 mile Lincolnshire circuit eager to strengthen their Championship standings and secure their Showdown positions.  

Currently occupying the final Showdown position, Chris Walker is looking to close up on rivals Tommy Bridewell and Dan Linfoot at Cadwell, “I love Cadwell Park! Here and Donington are the two closest tracks from my house, so really feel like my ‘home’ circuits as I always seem to get a bit more support at them. The bank holiday weekend usually gets the biggest crowd of the year too, with the fans packing the banking over the start/finish line and at the bottom of the mountain which creates an incredible atmosphere.

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The track itself is really physical and demanding, and the narrow nature of it means passing is difficult – so it’s going to be really important to get a good qualifying spot. We’re currently in a Showdown position but with James back this weekend, we’ll be looking to get some more points back from the guys in front so we can get both of us in the top six!”

Despite missing five races, James Ellison still sits in seventh just 32 points behind fourth place with 100 still to play for, “It’s an incredible feeling to be heading to Cadwell this weekend! When I was in hospital after the crash, my surgeons told me that my season was over and I wouldn’t even be weight-bearing on my leg for 2-3 months. That would likely have been true if it wasn’t for the amazing work by the guys at the Hyperbaric chamber in the Isle of Man. They gave up their own time to open the facilities for me, even on weekends, and after 2 and a half weeks I wasn’t just walking but cycling, so I owe them a massive debt.

Unfortunately, Cadwell is the most physically demanding circuit on the calendar and up until 2009 was probably my least favourite too. That said, since then I have started to enjoy it and have actually had some good results but until we get out for first practice we just won’t know how the injury will affect me, particularly over full race distance. If we can walk away with two point scoring finishes and still be in with a shot of the Showdown, I’ll be over the moon!”

Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki Team Manager Terry Liquorish said, “We’re really looking forward to welcoming the full Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki team back this weekend and it’s a massive boost for all of us that James recently passed his fitness assessment with the MSVR appointed doctor. Chris has been doing a fantastic job over the last two rounds, but we’ve certainly missed not having James on the other side of the garage!

It’s been an amazing year for the team so far, but with just two rounds of the main season left, we need to maximise our performance over the four races to try and secure both Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki riders in the Showdown. Chris is currently in a Showdown slot in sixth with James just behind in seventh, but the gap to fourth is very close so I’m confident we’ll see both of them up there by close of play at Donington!”

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